The new spring 2011 drama season starts soon! Here’s a handy preview guide of upcoming dramas.

This article will be updated as new information is confirmed.

Hancho 4

ハンチョウ シリーズ4 [Official Site] | Genre: Detective, Crime
Network/Time slot: TBS Mon 8PM | Start Date: 4/11/2011 | 2 hour 1st episode
Synopsis: This is a story about the detectives at the Jinnan Police Station in Harajuku, Tokyo. Azumi Tsuyoshi, head of the Criminal Affairs Department trusts his staff and usually does not interfere with their investigation. However, one day, a dead body is found in the neighborhood. Toyo Ota, a neighbor, is spotted screaming into a microphone towards the victim’s house. Azumi who thought this was strange felt the need to investigate this case himself. He starts talking to her and they become friends, but the next day, Toyo surprises him by saying that she is the one who killed the woman and surrenders to the police. –TBS (from DramaWiki)
Cast: Nakamura Shunsuke, Sasaki Kuranosuke, Tsukaji Muga, Kurotani Tomoka, Kashu Toshiki

Shiawase ni Narou yo

幸せになろうよ [Official Site] | Genre: Romantic Comedy
Network/Time slot: Fuji TV Mon 9PM | Start Date: 4/18/2011
Synopsis: The story involves Katori playing a successful advisor at a marriage consultation agency that aims to bring together people looking for partners. Kuroki plays one of the agency’s clients, who is “so beautiful” that the manual he uses doesn’t apply to her, while Fujiki plays a rich and handsome lawyer who is also a client. Katori starts to fall for Kuroki, but as a professional, he pairs the two together. –Tokyograph
Cast: Katori Shingo, Kuroki Meisa, Fujiki Naohito, Naka Riisa, Tamamori Yuta, Ohkura Koji, Takahata Atsuko, Hashimoto Satoshi, Kuninaka Ryoko, Harada Mieko, Kobayashi Kaoru

Muscle Girl

マッスルガール! [Official Site] | Genre: Sports Comedy
Network/Time slot: TBS Tue 12:55AM | Start Date: 4/19/2011
Synopsis: This sports comedy centers around Ichikawa Yui, who becomes a manager of a poorly run women’s wrestling organization. She unexpectedly has a confrontation with Korean super star, Lee Hong Ki, who is in charge of a rival women’s wrestling organization.
Cast: Ichikawa Yui, Lee Hong Ki, Mikami Kensei, Yamamoto Hikaru, Kuwano Nobuyoshi, Kuroda Fukumi

Namae wo Nakushita Megami

名前をなくした女神 [Official Site] | Genre: Family, Human?
Network/Time slot: Fuji TV Tue 9PM | Start Date: 4/12/2011
Synopsis: Anne stars Yuuko, a homemaker who marries a co-worker at the age of 22. They share the duties of chores and soon after, Yuuko gives birth to a son. After giving birth, Yuuko continues to work, but she’s forced to resign and her family moves somewhere else. Yuuko wants to work again, but jobs are scarce in the new area. She befriends a group of mothers with sons who attend the same school as her son.
Cast: Anne, Ono Machiko, Kurashina Kana, Tsuruno Takeshi, Hirayama Hiroyuki, Igarashi Shunji, Takahashi Issei, Keiji (EXILE), Hagiwara Masato, Ryou, Kimura Yoshino

Good Life

グッドライフ [Official Site] | Genre: Family, Human
Network/Time slot: Fuji TV Tue 10PM | Start Date: 4/19/2011
Synopsis: The tale of unconditional love that binds a parent and child moved many and even the late singer/actor Park Yong Ha (32) had a wish to turn the novel into a movie. The success of the book has brought it over to Japan and now it’s going to be turned into a drama. Sorimachi who was most notably known for his excellent performance as the hot-blooded teacher in the drama “GTO” will now be portraying a father who lacks the skills in doing household chores and childrearing. Additional cast members will be Eikura Nana (22) as a pediatric specialist, Igawa Haruka (34) as the protagonist’s estranged wife, and Ihara Tsuyoshi (47) as a doctor.
Cast: Sorimachi Takashi, Eikura Nana, Igawa Haruka, Ihara Tsuyoshi

Iryu Sousa

遺留捜査 [Official Site] | Genre: Detective, Crime
Network/Time slot: Asahi TV Sun 9PM | Start Date: 4/13/2011
Synopsis: The investigation department’s job is to handle and gather evidence to prosecute criminals. However, Kamikawa Takaya’s character in this drama is different, not only does he gather lost articles of criminals, he brings attention to “damaged goods” left behind by victims.
Cast: Kamikawa Takaya, Kanjiya Shihori, Sano Shirou, Ohsugi Ren

Rebound

リバウンド [Official Site] | Genre: Romantic Comedy
Network/Time slot: NTV Wed 10PM | Start Date: 4/27/2011
Synopsis: Aibu Saki stars as Nobuko, who successfully goes on an extreme diet after a major break-up. And just as she’s about to embark on her new life of wanting to join a fashion magazine, she meets a hottie who works at a pastry shop, Daichi (Hayami Mokomichi). Nobuko needs to stop eating cake! She will get fired from her job if she gets fat! Will Nobuko rebound?!
Cast: Aibu Saki, Hayami Mokomichi, Kuriyama Chiaki, Katsuji Ryo, Nishiyama Maki, Hankai Kazuaki, Ito Kazue, Ishizuka Hidehiko, Wakamura Mayumi

Hagane no Onna 2

ハガネの女 season2 [Official Site] | Genre: School, Human
Network/Time slot: Asahi TV Thu 8PM | Start Date: 4/21/2011 | 2 Hour 1st episode
Synopsis: This is the second season of Hagane no Onna. Haga Ineko returns as a teacher and has to deal with students who are bullying a child. The bullying stems from the child’s parents, who have been persecuted for a crime.
Cast: Kichise Michiko, Kaname Jun, Shitara Osamu

Shitsuren Hoken

失恋保険 [Official Site] | Genre: Love Mystery
Network/Time slot: NTV Thu 11:58PM | Start Date: 4/7/2011
Synopsis: What if there was insurance for a broken heart and the payout was 10x the amount? [More details to follow]
Cast: Shirota Yu, Fukuda Saki, Furuta Arata

BOSS 2

[Official Site] | Genre: Detective
Network/Time slot: Fuji TV Thu 10PM | Start Date: 4/14/2011
Synopsis:
Cast: Amami Yuki, Takenouchi Yutaka, Tamayama Tetsuji, Toda Erika, Mizobata Junpei, Kichise Michiko, Kendo Kobayashi, Nukumizu Youichi

Umareru

生まれる。 [Official Site] | Genre: Family, Human Drama
Network/Time slot: TBS Fri 10PM | Start Date: 4/22/2011
Synopsis: What happens when your 51 year old mother is pregnant!? Horikita Maki plays the eldest sister with three younger siblings. This drama focuses on life, relationships, living and the conflicts that arise from the predicament.
Cast: Horikita Maki, Ohkura Tadayoshi (Kanjani 8), Nakajima Kento (Johnny’s Jr.), Taketomi Seika, Miyake Yuuji, Sakai Wakana, Toda Keiko, Ohsugi Ren, Tanaka Misako

Inu wo Kau to Iu Koto

犬を飼うということ [Official Site] | Genre: Family, Human
Network/Time slot: TV Asahi Fri 11:15PM | Start Date: 4/15/2011
Synopsis: N/A
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Mizukawa Asami, Taguchi Junnosuke, Takeda Kohei, Kazami Shingo, Sugimoto Tetta, Izumiya Shigeru

Koukousei Restaurant

高校生レストラン [Official Site] | Genre: School, Cooking
Network/Time slot: NTV Fri 9PM | Start Date: 5/7/2011
Synopsis: N/A
Cast: Fukiishi Kazue, Kamiki Ryuunosuke, Kawashima Umika, Itaya Yuka, Ito Hideaki

Jin

JIN-仁- [Official Site] | Genre: Sci-fi, medical, period
Network/Time slot: TBS Sun 9PM | Start Date: 4/17/2011
Synopsis: The second series to the popular drama JIN.
Cast: Ayase Haruka, Osawa Takao, Koide Keisuke, Uchino Masaaki, Nakatani Miki

Gou: Himetachi no Sengoku

江～姫たちの戦国 [Official Site] | [View Trailer] Genre: Historical Period
Network/Time slot: NHK Sun 8PM | Start Date: 1/9/2011
Synopsis: At the heart of the drama, it’s a love story. The story of a country in civil war is told from a female’s point of view. This drama will be somewhat different compared to recent Taiga dramas and historical dramas in regards to military commanders and princesses.
Cast: Ueno Juri, Miyazawa Rie, Mizukawa Asami, Suzuki Honami, Mukai Osamu, Seto Koji

*Updated as information comes in*